Cyber Threats to the Bioengineering Supply Chain

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies rely on the sequencing of DNA to conduct research, develop new drug therapies, solve environmental challenges and study emerging infectious diseases. Synthetic biology combines biology and computer engineering disciplines to read, synthetically write and store DNA sequences utilizing bioinformatics applications. Bioengineers begin with a computerized genetic model and turn that model into a living cell (2011, Smolke). Genetic editing is making headlines as there are rumors that a genetically modified human, immune to HIV, was born in China. As the soil on our farms becomes depleted of nitrogen, genetic research is focusing on applications as a means to reintroduce nitrogen into the ground. Reliance on oil and pollution has paved the way for research into bio-fuels. Genomic research advances have outpaced the security of these applications and technology which leaves them vulnerable to attack (2017, Ney). As information security professionals, we must keep pace with these advances. This research will demonstrate the stages of a network-based attack, recommend Critical Security Controls countermeasures and introduce the concept of a Bioengineering Systems Kill Chain.